we walk the same paths tread by our patriarchs, abraham, isaac and jacob, but we blaze new trails in science, technology, medicine, agriculture. in israel the past and the future find common ground. unfortunately that's not the case in many other countries. for today a great battle is being waged between the modern and the medieval. the forces of modernity seek a bright future in which the rights of all are protected. in which an ever expanding digital library is available in the palm of every child. in which every life is sacred. the forces of medievalism seek a world in which women and minorities are subject gentlemen gate, in which -- knowledge is suppressed and not life but death is glorified. these forces clash around the globe. but nowhere more starkly than in the middle east. israel stands proudly with the forces of modernity. we protect the rights of all our citizens. men and women, jews and arabs, muslims and christians, all are equal before the law. israel is also making the world a better place. our scientists win nobel prizes. our know-how is in every cell phone and computer you